Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-7cvxr Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-25T06:36:30.307Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

The myth of the myth of martyrdom

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 August 2014

Yael Sela
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, Oakland University, Rochester, MI 48309. [email protected]@oakland.eduwww.ToddKShackelford.com
Todd K. Shackelford
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, Oakland University, Rochester, MI 48309. [email protected]@oakland.eduwww.ToddKShackelford.com

Abstract

Lankford asserts that suicide terrorism is attributable to suicidality. We argue in this commentary that this assertion is not well supported theoretically or empirically. In addition, we suggest that failure to acknowledge religious beliefs as motivationally causal for suicide terrorism may place innocent people at risk of murder in the service of political correctness and multiculturalism.

Type
Open Peer Commentary
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2014 

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Charlesmartel686. (2007, May 17). Inside the mind of a failed suicide bomber. Peter Bergen, CNN [Video file]. Available at: http://youtube/Pek5xISalL8.Google Scholar
Dawkins, R. (2001) Religion's misguided missiles: Promise a young man that death is not the end and he will willingly cause disaster. The Guardian, Saturday, 15 September, 2001. Available at: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2001/sep/15/september11.politicsphilosophyandsociety1.Google Scholar
Harris, S. (2005) Bombing our illusions. Huffington Post, Politics. [Posted online: October 10, 2005.] Available at: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/sam-harris/bombing-our-illusions_b_8615.html Google Scholar
Lankford, A. (2013c) The myth of martyrdom: What really drives suicide bombers, rampage shooter, and other self-destructive killers. Palgrave Macmillan.Google Scholar
Rehov, P. [Pierre Rehov]. (2009, January 18). 72 virgins in heaven [Video file]. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LxZXQerkrJE Google Scholar
Umer123khan. (2009, July 5). An interview with a Taliban trained suicide bomber. Jirga with Saleem Saafi, on GEO News Network [Video file]. Available at: http://youtube/qD-Nny3EP98 Google Scholar